Only time will tell whether sending a singer who can actually sing, albeit one whose popularity peaked before the moon landings, will mean a change of fortune for the UK at Eurovision. What seems certain, however, is that anything less than a crushing victory for Engelbert Humperdinck will be interpreted by many as a conspiracy to keep Britain off her rightful place at the top of the tree. In addition to the usual allegations of block voting and jury rigging, everything from the invasion of Iraq to discontent over the EU rebate has been used to excuse the abject performance of the nation's hopefuls.

The counter-argument has always been that other countries just take Eurovision a lot more seriously, sending their biggest and best stars to compete. There can be an element of truth to this but it would be a mistake to think that the contest always represents the best the continent has to offer. Thankfully, with the advent of YouTube, the exciting world of Albanian R'n'B or Slovak rave-pop is only ever a few clicks away. The sheer amount of choice is daunting but, to kick things off, here's a selection of 10 great acts from around Europe who won't be in Baku tomorrow night.

Proof that mixing pop and folk doesn't have to mean Marcus Mumford gurning away with an acoustic guitar, Andrea is one of a number of Bulgarian stars harnessing traditional Turkish and Romani influences to power some of the most electrifying chart music being made anywhere in the world. Like equally wonderful compatriot Maria, she's at her best working as foil to Romanian super-producer Costi Ioniţă, adding featherlight vocals to the whirling Balkan funk of songs such as Haide, Opa and Ne Gi Pravi Tiya Raboti.

There is a corner of a foreign field that remains forever Camden Market circa 1994. Singing in what appears to be an imaginary English regional accent, the Czech Republic's Charlie Straight make the kind of joyful, harmony-driven Britpop Britain itself has forgotten how to master. Infinitely more endearing than The Kooks and their ghastly brethren, it would be easy to imagine them sound-tracking the next series of Skins or going down a storm on a sunny afternoon at Glastonbury.

Despite having produced both Bomfunk MCs and The Rasmus, the Finnish music industry has mysteriously never developed the same international cache as neighbouring Sweden. However, in Eleanoora Rosenholm, it can boast one of Europe's most exciting art-pop groups. Drawing on everything from psychedelic folk to Italian prog-rock, and with a running lyrical theme that sees lead singer Noora playing the role of a serial killer, they're not aiming for chart domination but fans of Fever Ray and iamamiwhoami should find a lot to love.

An star in her native country and popular almost everywhere English lyrics aren't a prerequisite for success, Farmer has been releasing majestic albums for more than 25 years and shows no sign of faltering. Positioned somewhere between Kate Bush and Madonna, but superior to both, her combination of windswept gothic romanticism and mischievous sauce is unmistakably French – and unmistakably brilliant. From the Regency-era excess of 1986's Libertine (NSFW) to the sober beauty of recent Moby collaboration Bleu Noir, her videos have been as striking as her singles.

O-Zone's rise from obscure boy-band in Europe's most economically-deprived country to international chart-toppers was one of the most delightfully improbable success stories of recent years. Subsequent singles may not have had the impact of Dragostea din Tei but singer Dan Bălan had gone on to build a solid solo career in eastern Europe. Although mainly associated with up-tempo dance-pop, he's at his best on ballads such as the stunning Lepestkami Slez, a duet with Ukraine's Vera Brezhneva.

As lively and open-minded as anywhere else in the region, Serbian music is viewed with unwarranted suspicion in some quarters, a hangover from Ceca, the country's most internationally famous singer, marrying Arkan, one of its most internationally famous war criminals. Ilić may be the act to break down those longstanding prejudices. As famous for her provocative videos as the thunderous techno-pop of songs like Eurforija, she has a star quality that could easily transfer to a wider market.

Spain may struggle to compete with Latin America when it comes to developing international superstars but the country excels at rough-around-the-edges synth pop. There are few better examples than Amapola "La Prohibida" López. Her singles such as Flash and Cuando dos Electrones Chocan are reminiscent of cult legends Fangoria in marrying high-camp disco aesthetics with a deep strain of melancholy.

You could be forgiven for thinking that every fifth person in Stockholm is lead singer of a sparkling electro-pop group, given their recent proliferation. Swedish Idol finalist Styrke does more than enough to stand out from the crowd, though. Flitting between the euphoric rush of songs such as White Light Moment and the tears-on-the-dance-floor heartbreak of High And Low, her self-titled debut may be the finest Swedish chart album in 10 years. Robyn gets the critical acclaim overseas but, on current form, it's Styrke making the better music.

Bremen-born Atiye Deniz is one a growing group of singers from the Turkish diaspora to head for the motherland in pursuit of a pop career. Credited with bringing a stronger R&B influence to the already cosmopolitan Turkish charts, third album Budur won her critical acclaim and an MTV Europe award. Whether paired with the twinkling synths of the title track or the propulsive thump of Ozan Doğulu's band on excellent recent single Aşkistan, her enthralling voice is always the centre of attention.

Ukraine tends to be more generous in supplying Russia with pop stars than Russia is in supplying Ukraine with gas but the latest singer tipped to make the jump east, Ivan Dorn, could be setting his sights a little higher. With model looks and an impressive line in Timberlake-style electro-soul, he has the potential to make a real international impact. Singles Stytsamen and Severnoe Siyanie possess a crisp modernity that can sometimes be missing from post-Soviet pop but retain the depth of emotion that makes the region's chart music so special.

New sounds of Europe: on Monday, Andrew Khan kicks off a seven-week journey through the best new music from the rest of Europe on guardian.co.uk/soundsofeurope